Caid Essebsi, Abbas underline importance of two-state solution

President of the Republic Beji Caid Essebsi underlined the importance of the two-state solution within 1967 borders and with Al Quds as capital of Palestine.

Speaking Thursday in Carthage at a joint news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Caid Essebsi said “Tunisia is committed to the Palestinian cause.” There is no other solution to the Palestine- Israel conflict, in particular, and the Middle East, in general, but the two-state solution.

“Tunisia is following closely the developments of the situation in Palestine for the Palestinian cause is a core Middle East issue,” the President highlighted.

The President of the Republic hailed historical ties with Palestine and reminded that Tunisia hosted the Liberation Organisation till it returned to Palestine.

President Abbas said his talks with President Caid Essebsi focused on the latest political developments and US efforts, under President Donald Trump, to establish peace between Palestine and Israel.

The Palestinian side is keen to reach “a historic agreement” on the basis of the two states and the borders of 1967 with Al Quds as capital of Palestine, along with settling final status issues in line with international resolutions.

Abbas also said he briefed the President of the Republic about the efforts made by the Palestinian government to unify the people and underlined the need to dissolve the administrative commission formed by Hamas in Gaza Strip and help the unity government undertake its responsibilities and call general elections as soon as possible to pave the way for reconciliation.

Tunisia and Palestine are unanimous dialogue and peaceful solutions are the way out of current crises in the Arab world, the Palestinian President highlighted. There is also need to fight terror and extremism in the Arab region and across the globe.

Means to strengthen bilateral relations and step up the exchange of visits were also discussed, Abbas said. The Tunisian and Palestinian foreign ministers agreed to convene to High Joint Commission before the end of the year in Palestine and increase partnership between cooperation agencies in the two countries.

Abbas lauded, in this vein, Tunisia’s unwavering support and said the two countries are concerned over the Israeli presence in the African continent hence the need to address this in the framework of bilateral, Arab and Islamic action.

The Palestinian President is paying a two-day official visit to Tunisia.